As temperatures soar and rain approaches, J&K must prioritise public health and preparedness
Kashmir has been reeling under an intense spell of heat, with Srinagar touching this season’s highest maximum of 33.8°C. Across the Valley, from Qazigund at 33.2°C to Kupwara at 32.3°C and Kokernag at 31.9°C, daytime temperatures have remained unusually high. Even the relatively cooler tourist resorts like Pahalgam and Gulmarg are reporting elevated readings of 27.7°C and 24.8°C, respectively. In the Jammu division, the mercury has climbed higher still, with Jammu city recording 37.0°C and Katra 35.6°C. The Meteorological Department has indicated that this hot and generally dry pattern is likely to persist till June 30, prolonging the prevailing heatwave conditions. From July 1 to July 4, however, a fresh Western Disturbance interacting with the advancing southwest monsoon is expected to bring widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds and even isolated hailstorms across Jammu and Kashmir. While this wet spell should provide much-needed respite from the oppressive heat and improve soil moisture for agriculture and horticulture, it will also usher in a new set of risks. This twin reality calls for sober reflection and timely action. On the one hand, authorities must treat heat as a serious public health concern, not a passing inconvenience. Heat-related illness affects the elderly, children, outdoor workers, patients with chronic diseases, and those without adequate access to cooling most acutely. Clear advisories on avoiding direct sun during peak afternoon hours, ensuring regular hydration, checking on vulnerable neighbours, and adjusting school and work timings where necessary should be widely disseminated. On the other hand, the approaching spell of rain and thunderstorms demands preparedness against flash floods, landslides, falling trees, and damage to weak infrastructure, particularly in hilly and flood-prone areas. The MeT Department has rightly urged vigilance. Administration must translate forecasts into ground-level readiness: cleaning drains, identifying vulnerable slopes and embankments, preparing rescue and relief teams, and issuing location-specific alerts through all available channels. People at large, too, have a crucial role. Following official advisories, avoiding unnecessary travel during severe weather, staying away from swollen streams and nallahs, and resisting the temptation to treat storms as spectacles can save lives. The changing weather over the coming days should not be seen merely as a shift from heat to rain, but as a reminder that resilience in Jammu and Kashmir now hinges on how swiftly we adapt our habits, our planning, and our public health responses to a more volatile climate.
